Germany praises extension of Ukraine mission

Germany's Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier praised the move to extend the Observers of the ceasefire in Ukraine's mandate for one year.
"This is a good decision. The OSCE observer mission has an extremely important task in overseeing the Minsk agreement," said Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
" In light of the still fragile situation on the ground, we have every interest in supporting and strengthening the mission in every way possible," he added.
The decision by the OSCE came as Russia launched major military exercises in border regions including the annexed Crimean peninsula, according to media reports.